‘The Final Of Us’ Co-Creator Reveals The Present Nearly Had A ‘Sadder’ Season Finale

*Warning: Spoilers forward for “The Final of Us”*

HBO’s hit sequence “The Final of Us” wrapped up its first season final Sunday, nevertheless it nearly completed off with a completely completely different vibe, in keeping with the present’s co-creator.

In a latest interview with British GQ, co-creator Craig Mazin revealed he and director Ali Abbasi had been “taking part in round” with a lengthier and extra dejected ending between Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey).

The sequence, based mostly on the 2013 online game, tells the story of the pair’s journey by means of a post-apocalyptic world the place a fungus turns people into ravenous flesh-eating monsters.

In the course of the season finale, Joel and Ellie’s cross-country trek to Salt Lake Metropolis involves an in depth as they make their option to meet up with the Fireflies. As a substitute of being met with reward for Ellie’s secure return, the fireflies knock Joel unconscious and whisk her away to organize her for a surgical procedure that can supposedly result in a remedy.

However, the surgical procedure would kill her within the course of as it might require eradicating and replicating the Cordyceps which were in her mind since delivery.

Followers of the favored sport must be acquainted with its controversial ending that sparked debate since its debut a decade in the past, through which Joel makes the life-changing choice to avoid wasting Ellie at humanity’s expense, killing anybody within the Firefly hospital who stood in his means.

Within the closing scene, Ellie confronts Joel and insists that he guarantees her that every part he mentioned concerning the Fireflies is factual. Joel then lies to her, explaining that there is no such thing as a potential remedy. Identical to the sport’s ending, Joel doubles down on his lie, vowing that every part he mentioned is true.

“[Abbasi] had this considered simply taking part in out this barely longer, sadder model the place Ellie says, ‘okay,’ after which she turns and walks away. And Joel takes care of her. We see the 2 of them strolling, not likely collectively however aside, down in the direction of Jackson. It lingers after which fades. There was one thing lovely about it,” Mazin informed GQ.

Elsewhere within the interview, Mazin detailed how the choice to honor the unique ending was finally a secure alternative, primarily for many who had been acquainted with the supply materials.

“Everyone was like ‘what can we do?’ And there was that meta-discussion of, are the those who performed the sport going to be extra aggravated that they didn’t get it simply the best way it’s speculated to be, or are they gonna be extra aggravated that they solely obtained what that they had earlier than? After which how will all people else really feel?” Mazin mentioned.

He added, “Ultimately, there’s one thing very particular about ending on that close-up of Ellie. Not understanding what comes subsequent. Not understanding what she does. Does she stroll away from him, does she stroll with him, how does she really feel? That second will get suspended completely.”

Final week, the favored sequence went viral after followers found an actual giraffe was used to recreate one of many sport’s most basic and galvanizing scenes: The second Ellie encounters a giraffe for the primary time.

After the episode’s premiere, followers shared their ideas on Twitter concerning the scene, after many initially assumed that the giraffe was 100% computer-generated. Viewers shortly realized that there was nothing simulated concerning the towering creature.

The scene, through which Joel and Ellie meet a giraffe within the stays of Salt Lake Metropolis, was re-created utilizing a “mixture of a VFX stage, surroundings and placement shoot with actual giraffes from the Calgary Zoo,” in keeping with the show’s Twitter account.

Final month, HBO introduced that the drama sequence had been renewed for a second season amid the present’s large success.

Season 1 of “The Final of Us” is streaming on HBO Max.